A new program will see $1 million in grants on the table for councils to conduct works that make road approaches to level crossings safer.
Applications to the NSW Government’s Level Crossing Improvement Program – Regional Council Minor Works opened this week.
Across the state, there are over 1300 level crossings located on public roads, with collisions between trains and vehicles a major road and rail safety risk.
Councils are invited to apply for funding for projects that will help boost safety around level crossings, by improving sighting distances and using advanced warning systems.
This could include vehicle-activated signage, line marking, upgrading or installing street lighting, traffic calming treatments (excluding speed limit reductions) and minor road realignments.
Transport for NSW Chief of the Centres for Road Safety and Maritime Safety, Bernard Carlon, said the new program will help councils carry out minor, low-cost engineering work and safety improvements on road approaches to level crossings.
“Through the new Level Crossing Improvement Program – Regional Council Minor Works, we are partnering with regional councils who manage around 90 per cent of the state’s road network by length,” he said.
“These grants will enhance safety for motorists and rail users – passenger and freight – and are a step towards the NSW Government’s goal of zero road trauma by 2050.
“It’s also important to remember that while infrastructure improvements will continue to reduce risk at level crossings, drivers, riders and pedestrians should always take care and obey the road rules each time they encounter a level crossing.”
Councils have until May 2, 2025 to apply for a share of $1 million in grants that are on offer for the 2025/26 financial year. Further details, including eligibility criteria, is available here.
The initiative is a sub-program of the existing NSW Government Level Crossing Improvement Program (LCIP), which allocates $7.3 million each year to upgrade public level crossings, to trial new technologies and increase awareness through level crossing safety education and enforcement campaigns.